Jump to content

How Do You Fit A Vintage Omega Seamaster Crystal?

systeman
 Share

Recommended Posts

systeman WRT Addict

systeman

Posted
Posted

Hi all,

 

I'm new to the forum and am sure I'll be learning a lot.

 

I recently purchased an old Omega Seamaster from a well known auction site. I took a bit of a gamble, it looked in a right old state with a cracked crystal, broken bracelet, covered in crud and with a slightly pitted dial.

 

The reason I purchased it was I have never owned an Omega and always wanted an older style that could be restored. This one looked as if it had never or hardly ever been opened, and thus serviced.

 

It has a 562 movement housed in a 166.003 case and with a crosshair dial.

 

In taking the back off, the gasket was an off white colour and as hard as rock, it must have been the original. The movement initially looked to be clean but the rotor does need attention - to be expected I suppose as the watch is from 1966 according to the serial number.

 

I've removed the old gasket, the easiest way was to pop out the crystal first, just used my thumbs for that, then I warmed up the case in hot water for about ten minutes, this softened the gasket enough to insert an old screwdriver to carefully remove the gasket in sections.

 

I removed the steel bezel using a razor blade and gently pushing the blade between the bezel and case and using a rotating action, it popped off nicely. Lots of crud under that.

 

I've given the case an ultrasonic clean and light polish ready to receive a new crystal.

 

My question is this:

 

I have sourced from Cousins a new crystal, PZ1543L, for the 166.003 case. Is this to be inserted with a press tool or by using the crystal lift/insert type?

 

 

 

 

post-236-0-77938700-1402481250_thumb.jpg

post-236-0-07401400-1402481312_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Geo Distinguished Member

Geo

Posted
Posted

Welcome to the forum Systeman.

That will be a nice watch once refurbished. Regarding the crystal, if it has a tension ring inside the perimeter of the lens then it will have to be pressed in, if the crystal is plain and does not have a tension ring use a crystal lift to compress it for fitting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
systeman WRT Addict

systeman

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks Lee, I practiced a few times with a cheapo crystal before finally fitting the Omega genuine one. I wasn't sure if the correct procedure was to fit it without the steel bezel in situ or removed. I took some measurements and decided to fit it with the bezel removed, pressing the bezel in place afterwards.

 

Because the bezel is slightly larger than the crystal, I think the only purpose it serves on this Seamaster version is to serve as a crystal alignment guide and to protect the crystal edge because of its height.

 

It would be nice to know which way up the Omega symbol should be. On the PZ5143L one I fitted it was inverted, i.e. date lense at 3pm - Omega logo inverted. Does it matter?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
systeman WRT Addict

systeman

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks Lee, I practiced a few times with a cheapo crystal before finally fitting the Omega genuine one. I wasn't sure if the correct procedure was to fit it without the steel bezel in situ or removed. I took some measurements and decided to fit it with the bezel removed, pressing the bezel in place afterwards.

 

Because the bezel is slightly larger than the crystal, I think the only purpose it serves on this Seamaster version is to serve as a crystal alignment guide and to protect the crystal edge because of its height.

 

It would be nice to know which way up the Omega symbol should be. On the PZ5143L one I fitted it was inverted, i.e. date lense at 3pm - Omega logo inverted. Does it matter?

 

By crystal alignment guide I mean if the bezel is in situ before fitting the crystal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 3 weeks later...
  • 1 year later...
rogart63 Distinguished Member

rogart63

Posted
Posted

Thanks Lee, I practiced a few times with a cheapo crystal before finally fitting the Omega genuine one. I wasn't sure if the correct procedure was to fit it without the steel bezel in situ or removed. I took some measurements and decided to fit it with the bezel removed, pressing the bezel in place afterwards.

 

Because the bezel is slightly larger than the crystal, I think the only purpose it serves on this Seamaster version is to serve as a crystal alignment guide and to protect the crystal edge because of its height.

 

It would be nice to know which way up the Omega symbol should be. On the PZ5143L one I fitted it was inverted, i.e. date lense at 3pm - Omega logo inverted. Does it matter?

The logo in the crystal could be either way. I have seen all directions. They are random stamped? As long as it is there . BTW that is a very nice looking watch. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Alaskamick WRT Addict

Alaskamick

Posted
Posted

The crystal should,in my opinion, be fitted so that it is in the same orientation as the logo on the dial.

 

It makes no difference really which way it goes as you only see it if you're looking for it but I can't believe that in the old days a company like Omega would allow watches to go out with their logo upside down.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ramrod Super WRT Addict

ramrod

Posted
Posted

systeman - you've just done what i've been wanting to do for a while. i want to get an old omega and refurbish it. i love omega watches. it's almost a grail for me.

you've done a real nice job on yours. you should be proud - and you should be wearing it every day. lol.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

Posted
Posted

The crystal should,in my opinion, be fitted so that it is in the same orientation as the logo on the dial.

 

It makes no difference really which way it goes as you only see it if you're looking for it but I can't believe that in the old days a company like Omega would allow watches to go out with their logo upside down.

Agree. It has to be fitted properly or you might as well forget it. There's a right way and there's a wrong way

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Similar Content

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Rixy
      Broken lug

      By Rixy · Posted

      Thanks Dell. I thought about silver soldering. Have never done it but would like to give it a go. Do you think to put flux on the butted joint then run the solder in or to maybe brace it with a piece of scrap spring steel?
    • rossjackson01
      Without Our Forum

      By rossjackson01 · Posted

      Never and others. Yes, like you I do spend a fair amount of time reading the contents of this forum. I find it better that any other. Clear, lucid, no Prima Donas, and most of all an easy access without adverts. All thanks to Mark. God bless you mate. You give so much to many of us. What if? No Mark? Hypothetically. A forum. I did run a forum for a few years. Really enjoyed it, but became so engrossed that it did affect my health. I gave to to others to run. Not been back. It was very successful and rivalled a number of large paying sites. No adverts, no others but me. I did ask and listen to members comments and it worked well.    Costs Having a domain name, £10 annually.  Register the site with a forum company, free. Build the site using the forum company guide lines, free. It looked and ran almost the same a Mark's. All the same facilities. The cost was only £5 per month, but counted visits (views). If I recall, it was that price for 5,000 views. Each extra 5,000 views increased the price by £2 per month. Success was my own personal undoing. From £5 per month initially, it rose to £60 a month and looked like increasing. This was 10 years ago. I could not afford that, and asked it anyone would like to take over and someone did. I would assume that this is the price that Mark is funding for us all. His return is our continued comments on the internet about his course, and the fact that many of the big names on YouTube mention him as their Tutor. Those of us who have done, and are still using, his course, benefit. In comparison to other courses, I can't believe how cheap it is, and the value is exceptional. It is the structure that gives the value. Long may Mark reign. Ross  
    • TheQuietMan
      Help please.

      By TheQuietMan · Posted

      Hi all, total newbie to watchmaking and I've had a bit of a mishap. Just completing level 2 and was doing ok, but I was just on the last part of the reassembly of my ST3620 when the balance end stone shot across the room, just as I was trying to see if I had put the correct amount of oil between it and the balance end, aarrrgh! Been on my hands and knees combing the carpet for 20mins looking for it but to no avail. Does anybody know where I can get a replacement from and what to look for please?? Thanks.
    • Dell
      Broken lug

      By Dell · Posted

      Get someone local to tig it ,very easy fix and should only take a few minutes so probably wouldn’t cost much ,or failing that get it very clean and silver solder it. Dell
    • Zedster
      Movement inserted from crytal side

      By Zedster · Posted

      Hi, The winding pin is not split, well that's how it was when I obtained the watch. The movement is front-loaded and here's a picture of where the case screws are fitted. The face picture is before I dismantled it. Quick update.  I've always had a nylon ring sitting in the parts try that I wasn't sure where it went and left it to the last thing as I know it must be part of the case assembly. Anyway, looking at the picture in my last post you can see, just under the winding stem, a white-looking object, this is the nylon ring 🤭 So, I had to remove the dial again and replace the ring. Once this was all back together I placed the movement in the case and realized my initial problem maybe is not a problem as it looks like I can screw the movement back in the case and then place the hands as the dial is nearly flush with the outside of the case anyway so I'll be able to check for alignment. if all is good then just fit the crystal and bezel 🤔 I can't think of any issues with this approach but please comment if you think I've not thought of something. Another lesson learned as well. Take more pictures not just of the movement parts and location 😅
×
×
  • Create New...